A
wireless optical
transceiver system which includes a passive
optical antenna coupled by
optical fiber to an active
electronics module. The
transceiver system receives and transmits light beams from / to the
atmosphere,.and thereby communicates optically with a second optical
transceiver. Receivers, transmitters, repeaters, switches, routers, etc., may be similarly organized, i.e. by
coupling one or more passive optical antennas and an active
electronics module with
fiber-optic cable. Furthermore, various network toplogies and organizations may be arranged using one or more of the
fiber-coupled transceivers, receivers, transmitters, repeaters, switches, routers, etc. Such components are admirably suited for use in various network configurations such as broadcast networks, point-to-multipoint networks, etc due to their low cost, ease of installation and antenna sighting,
modularity, and upgradability. An
optical router for establishing
wireless channels to a number of subscribers may be configured based on
demodulation and remodulation of light beams, or alternatively by redirecting light beams by adjustable deflections mirrors. A communications network infrastructure based on atmospheric
light beam propagation is contemplated.